Hi, my name is Amanda, and I’m the daughter-in-law of Karen Kellar.

In December 2023, our family’s world changed when Karen was diagnosed with Stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma (Kidney Cancer). The news came as a complete shock — she had been healthy and active until she began experiencing severe back pain right before Thanksgiving. After scans and tests, doctors found cancer in her kidney (the size of a grapefruit), spine (T8), adrenal glands, and lungs.

Karen immediately began treatment with radiation and a chemo/immunotherapy combination (Opdivo + Cabometyx) right before the New Year. After 12 rounds of radiation, her pain improved, but she later suffered a fracture in her T8 vertebra due to the damage left behind. She now receives monthly Xgeva injections to help protect her bones.

Between June and October 2024, the chemo began causing severe wounds that led to a staph infection and multiple hospital stays. After confirming the reaction was caused by the medication, her doctors switched her to Keytruda + Inlyta, which she stayed on for about six months.

In March 2025, a PET scan revealed that the cancer had spread further — to her hip, spine, and shoulder. We did seek a second opinion with CARTI who agreed with the next move would be to start Welireg. More radiation followed, and while the treatment has slowed some progression, her September scan showed “stable” results in some areas and small new growths in others (including lymph nodes and lungs).

Now, Karen is still on Welirig, her current oral chemo treatment — which is the last option of treatment that is FDA-approved. Her oncologist has referred her to MD Anderson in Houston for evaluation and potential clinical trial opportunities. Though traveling isn’t easy for her, she has agreed to go — because she’s not done fighting.

At the end of October 2025, Karen was let go from her job in the title industry — where she’s worked her entire career — leaving her without income or insurance. To continue her treatment at MD Anderson, she must now purchase COBRA insurance, which comes at an overwhelming monthly cost.

Karen and her husband, Bruce, are also the primary caregivers for her disabled brother, adding even more financial strain.

That’s why we’ve created this GoFundMe — to help cover:

Our hope is to ease this financial burden so Karen can focus all her strength and energy on her fight — and on the people she loves most: her granddaughters and her family. Again, while we know this comes to shock to many she has kept this very private due to the emotional havoc this terrible disease has caused.

We ask for your prayers, your shares, and your support. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us give Karen the best possible chance at healing.

With love and gratitude,

Amanda & Dustin

(on behalf of the Kellar family)